Pest Infestation Prevention For Every Season: Spring Edition
When the temperatures begin to warm up in the springtime, it inspires us to get outside and get active. We begin to have cookouts, go for hikes, go fishing, and more. Those temperatures also inspire pests to get active. And, before they do, it is important to have your pest protection in place. Here are a few pests you can expect to see in spring, and what can be done to deter them.
Ticks
In our Texas service area, black-legged ticks, Lone star ticks, and brown dog ticks are the common ticks we see. While ticks can be active all year long, they start to be more of a threat in spring because the animals they use as hosts are more active. This will bring them into your yard.
Tick Tips:
- Make sure all external trash is in sealed containers. Wildlife are drawn to accessible trash and they bring ticks in with them.
- Birds can be a vehicle for ticks. If you're able to part with your bird feeders, it could reduce your chances of having ticks dropped in your yard.
- Be aware that repellents that deter mosquitoes can also deter ticks. When you go out into your yard this spring, it can be a benefit to spray repellent on your pant legs and shoes.
Mice
During the cold weather, mice often chew their way into homes in Texas. Once inside, they can damage insulation, sheetrock, wood, and other building materials, as well as spread illness and parasites from top to bottom. If you do not already have mice living inside your home, there are some things you can do to keep them out.
Mice Tips:
- Weeds and overgrowth around your home will be inviting to mice. Vegetation makes mice feel safer when they explore your foundation walls.
- Mice can climb up the downspouts on your gutter system. Consider putting wire mesh in there to keep them from gaining access to your vulnerable roofline.
- Objects next to a home can provide harborage for mice. It is a good idea to stow these items in a shed or under a tarp that is well away from the outside walls of your home.
Ants
There are many species of ants that become pests in Texas. Some bite your feet while you're trying to enjoy some time in your backyard. Some spread illness when they get into your home. Some will actually eat your home. Each ant pest is slightly different and each requires a different control method.
Ant Tips:
- Ants are drawn to moisture, especially carpenter ants. If you have leaky spigots or hoses in your yard, it is a good idea to get them repaired. Check your gutter system to make sure you don't have any obstructions or breaks that would allow water to run down the side of your home and create moisture conditions next to your foundation wall.
- Store construction material 20 feet away from your home and elevate it. This will reduce your chances of a carpenter ant infestation.
- If you have a garden or flower beds that are surrounded by wood, consider replacing it with stone.
Termites
We have several types of termites in Texas. Spring is a time when most termites release swarmers into the air. The role of swarmer termites is to create new nests. Before they do this, it is important to have a termite defense product installed. This is best done by a trained professional.
Year-Round Pest Control
When you have ongoing service from a trained and certified pest control company you get appropriate pest control treatments in every season, including spring. A pest controller can help to reduce or completely control ticks on your property by applying a barrier treatment that eliminates them in the places they hide during the day. Your pest controller will monitor and trap mice so you never have to wonder if those sneaky pests are in your home. No matter what type of ants appear in spring, your certified pest control technician will know what baits to target them with to ensure colony elimination. And every home in Texas should have ongoing termite protection with the Sentricon® System with Always Active™. Year-round pest control is more than an increase in comfort, it is essential, seasonal, protection every home should have.
If you live in the greater Houston area, reach out to Modern Pest Control to schedule a free inspection, and get ahead of those pests with a residential pest control program you can trust.
